Oral history transcript, Ben Wattenberg, interview 1 (I), 11/23/1968, by T.H. Baker
Title:
Oral history transcript, Ben Wattenberg, interview 1 (I), 11/23/1968, by T.H. Baker
Number of Pages:
78
Description:
Biographical information; Wattenberg’s publishing and writing career; Richard M. Scammon; meeting Bill Moyers and LBJ; being hired as a speechwriter; speechwriting process in the LBJ administration; LBJ’s young staff; working on speeches with Moyers; press leaks and staff members talking to the press; believing in what you write; 'crisis mongering'; changes in socioeconomic conditions for Negroes; presenting statistical information to the President; the Kerner Commission; Robert Kennedy speaking out on social issues; the press and distortion of truth; attempting to correct media lies; how speeches were assigned, approved, edited; (speeches for) the 1966 Asia trip; LBJ’s treatment of foreign dignitaries; Harry McPherson’s role in speech-writing; consulting Dick Scammon for pre-election statistical analysis.
